Lesson Plans On Problem and Solution
Finding lesson plans on problem and solution can be tricky, but with the right activities, it’s a fun unit to teach! These engaging, fun lessons and activities are a great way to teach problem and solution to your students.
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Why Teach Problem and Solution?
We know it’s important for students to identify the problem and solution in the story, but why should we teach it? Teaching our students the different components of fiction texts is important so they can think and dig deeper into what they are reading. They go from just reading words to thinking more about what is actually happening to the characters, what would they do in this situation, etc.
What Does Problem and Solution Mean?
We want to teach our students that the problem in the story is what went wrong and the solution is how the problem was fixed. Here are some important questions we can ask our students while we are reading a text:
- What is the character upset about?
- How did the story change?
- What went wrong in the story?
- Could the problem have been avoided? How?
- How was the problem solved?
- What were the steps taken to solve the problem?
- How would you have solved the problem?
Use Visuals
Using visuals while we teach is important, especially for kids that identify as visual learners. Having a visual, like an anchor chart, helps students see and remember what they are learning.
I also like to use movement anytime I teach a comprehension skill. For example, when teaching students to make connections, they make a pinky promise when they have a connection to the story. When teaching problem and solution, I’ll have students make a thumb to the side, and then for the solution, they’ll make a thumbs up.
Use Engaging Activities Your Students Will Love
When planning a reading unit, finding engaging activities that your students will remember is key.
Become Problem Solvers
With this activity, hide a problem picture inside each manila envelope. In groups, students will take the problem out of the envelope, and together, they’ll discuss what the problem is. Then, they’ll come up with the best solution for that problem. Groups of students will do all six envelopes together. They will love this detective work!
New Character Problems
Exposing our students to different characters and stories is important too. These character cards introduce new characters and then as a class, students discuss the problem and then come up with possible solutions.
Use Reading Centers
Using reading centers that go with your reading comprehension skill help reinforce what your students are learning in class. These are great extension activities to continue to learn and practice their new knowledge. Students will love using these problem and solution centers independently or in your small group.
Puzzles
In this fun center, students will match the problem to the solution. Visuals and text are included.
Find The Solution
This center is a fun one and would work wonderfully as a guided reading warm-up too. Students read the sentence and then move the picture that matches the solution.
Match-Up
Students love sorting games. In this activity, students will look at the problem and then match it to the solution. They will then put the problem card under the “Problem” heading and the solution card under the “Solution” heading.
Graphic Organizers and Flipbooks
Teaching students to write about their reading is important, even in the younger grades. This is another step to help them comprehend the story.
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